43 Meal Ideas for 1 Year Olds: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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When my son started eating real food instead of baby food, I was overwhelmed with all the possibilities and I needed meal ideas for 1 year olds.

I also worried:

• Did he get enough to eat?

• Was he eating too much?

• Was he eating a balanced diet?

But I was over complicating it. I ended up creating a list of food ideas for 1 year olds and then picking 2-3 foods from each food category. That way I knew he would be eating a variety of foods.

That’s what you’ll see in all of these meals. Instead of 2 grains, it might be 1 grain, 1 vegetable, and 1 protein. I hope this gives you some easy meal ideas.

Sometimes you just need some inspiration when it comes to meal ideas for your 1 year old. If you are in a meal time rut, I hope this gives you some great inspiration to try some new meals with your little one!

What should a 1 year old eat in a day?

Much of the food that is marketed towards young children is not healthy for them. Try to avoid snacky foods that are full of sugar or carbs and low in nutrients.

Stick to whole foods in order to ensure a balanced diet for your 1 year old.

Make sure your child is getting a variety of foods by choosing from these categories throughout the day

• protein – beans, shredded chicken, pork, or turkey, lunchmeat, eggs, nut butters

• fruit -strawberries, blueberries, bananas, tomato, grapes (cut up), apple slices

• vegetables – cucumbers, cooked carrots, broccoli, peas, green beans

• dairy – milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese

• grains – bread, oatmeal, pita bread, tortilla shells

What foods can a 1 year old eat?

Your 1 year old can eat most of the food you eat. As long as the food is soft and has been cut up into small pieces, they can eat it.

Of course, you may want to avoid some common allergens like shellfish, nuts, and eggs unless your doctor said to try them.

If you serve your 1 year old the same foods the rest of your family eats, it will make your life easier because you won’t have to fix multiple meals. You will also avoid creating a picky eater.

Meal Ideas for 1 Year Olds

Breakfast Meal Ideas:

• English muffin and nut butter, applesauce
• oatmeal with cinnamon and raisins and grapes
• biscuit with jelly, turkey bacon, and apple slices
• Nutrigrain bar, yogurt, blueberries
• scrambled egg, toast, peach slices
• mini bagel with cream cheese, sliced pear
• bacon, cinnamon raisin toast, mango
• French toast, yogurt, strawberries
• muffin, strawberries, milk
• avocado toast, blueberries
• pancake, turkey bacon
• yogurt, pear slices
• Cherrios, cut up banana, pieces of sausage
• applesauce, mini quiche
• mini bagel with nut butter and mandarin orange
• waffle with nut butter and melon
• oatmeal with berries and milk

Lunch Ideas for 1 Year Old:

• cheese slices, crackers, strawberries, sweet potatoes
• mini pizza on bread and cooked broccoli
• baked beans, roasted potato slices, blueberries
• grilled cheese, applesauce, cucumber slices
• PB and banana sandwich, jello, peas
• ham and cheese roll up sliced like pinwheels, corn, blueberries
• avocado toast, watermelon, cheese slices
• roasted chicken, rice, tomato, cheese
• cheese quesadilla, mandarin orange, black beans
• turkey slices, cheese slices, applesauce, and crackers
• turkey and cream cheese pinwheel, cooked peas
• shredded chicken, cottage cheese, green beans
• hummus on pita bread, cooked peas and carrots, cheese slices
• grilled cheese sandwich, cooked and cut up broccoli, apple slices
• mac n’ cheese, peas, mandarin orange

Dinner Ideas for 1 Year Old: 

• hummus with cucumber slices and crackers, pear slices
• rice bowl with cooked carrots, corn, and shredded cheese
• chicken quesadilla, grapes, roasted green beans
• chicken pot pie, steamed broccoli
• shredded chicken, rice, peas, diced carrots, and shredded cheeses mixed together
• Mac n cheese, broccoli, pears
• beef stew with diced potatoes, carrots, and peas
• quiche with spinach and peppers plus a fruit
• spaghetti, peas, and meatball
• shredded chicken, sweet potato fries, and pear slices
• meatloaf, rice, and broccoli

Supplies for feeding your 1 year old: 

These divided plates*  are durable and the right size portions for 1 year olds!

When we go out to eat, we use this reusable place mat*. It is easy to wipe off.

These short, chubby spoons* are easy for toddlers to hold on to. 

Affordable sippy cups that don’t spill are a must have! We love these Take and Toss ones*!

We love these Munchkin bowls* because they are sturdy, dishwasher safe, and perfect for meals and snack time! 

How to avoid picky eaters.

Toddlers moods, likes, and dislikes can change in a matter of seconds. So don’t get discouraged if your toddler seems to dislike a certain food.

It doesn’t mean your toddler will dislike carrots forever. It may just be a phase. 

Feed your toddler a lot of different types of foods. Anyone would get sick of eating the same food over and over again, so refer to the list for new ideas. 

You can also offer the same food in a variety of ways.

Maybe your little one doesn’t like canned carrots, but he/she may enjoy roasted carrots.

If there is a certain food that your toddler continues to refuse to eat, try preparing it in a different way. 

Add flavors to the vegetable too. A bland vegetable can be hard to eat, but with a little seasoning sprinkled on top, the vegetable might be more appealing.  

As you plan out what to feed your 1 year old, it’s best to refer to a list of ideas. Otherwise your mind goes blank and you end up getting into a meal time rut!

Here is a list of snacks for 1 year olds because we all know how important snacks are too!

Purchase your copy of my Toddler Meal Planner. It is exactly what you need to feed your toddler with confidence!

Overwhelmed at home? Have a clean house, dinner on the table, and family time with the free BALANCED MOM PRINTABLE CHECKLIST!

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